F-22 Raptor (Enthusiast Color Series) (Paperback)

by Bill Sweetman (Author) "The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is the greatest one-generation advance in fighter-aircraft capability in 50 years..." (more)
Key Phrases: vectored thrust, flight envelope, weapon bays, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Bill Sweetman (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

While much of the details of the F-22 remain classified, what has been released is nothing short of incredible. Bill Sweetman fills you in on the new techniques, new materials and new machinery required to build and fly the world's most-advanced fighter.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Zenith Press (May 17, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076030484X
• ISBN-13: 978-0760304846
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #804,115 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Most up-to-date reference on the F-22., March 29, 1999

By A Customer

Highly recommended for those interested in modern aviation. I've followed this plane ever since I saw one of its first flights in 1990. Well written, with good photography, this book covers background and development, the YF-22 and -23 prototype competition, and the production F-22. I particularly liked the coverage of the advanced tactical fighter prosposals from other manufacturers, and the detailed differences between the prototype and production models. The book has a slightly breathless quality, as if the author couldn't wait to get it into print. Sweetman is good at that, though- check out his book "Aurora" in which he pieces together a compelling picture of the top-secret hypersonic spy plane from very little hard information. Much new technology to cover here. There is a 1998 article on the F-22 in "Air and Space Smithsonian" that is a good complement to this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Absorbing and easy to read, January 19, 2005

By	Dimitrios (Greece) - See all my reviews

Bill Sweetman wrote this book back in 1997 when the F/A-22 Raptor program was still in its maturing phase, but he has collected an incredible array of technical information which he presents with exceptional clarity. The only drawback is the premature time of the book's publication date and the author's avoidance to delve into numbers and minor details. Ths book though is very interesting and gives some little known facts about modern aerial tactics and the revolutionary capabilities of F/A-22 in this field. The photos are colored, large size and excellent, although many of them are taken from the Lockheed Martin production lines instead of the air.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fascinating book, October 26, 2002

By	James Cho (Redondo Beach, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Extremely in-depth information on the F-22 (answered many questions of mine, like why there seemed to be notches between the control surfaces). Ample info on the avionics (generally hard to find on this aircraft), with a narrative describing their employment. Great photos of an F-22 under construction. Rare photos of the other lesser known ATF entries are shown (check out Boeing's... same intake as the X-32).